Partner, Lawyer
André Ryan, Ad. E., ICD.D
Contact
Montreal
25th Floor1100 René-Lévesque Blvd. West
Montreal, Quebec H3B 5C9
CANADA 514 397-8500 514 397-8515 info@bcf.ca
Profile
A distinguished lawyer whose reputation stretches beyond Quebec and Canada, André Ryan is a partner in BCF’s Litigation and Governance groups. A commercial law practitioner, André advises clients on commercial litigation, corporate governance, media relations, and crisis management, as well as on the negotiation of national and international strategic agreements and partnerships. He regularly advises boards of directors of public, private, and governmental organisations.
A litigation lawyer, André has acquired special expertise representing parties before commissions of inquiry, defending class actions, and advising in matters of shareholders disputes. He acts before civil and common law courts, and in arbitrations and mediations. He conducts and participates in internal investigations. He is also an accredited commercial mediator. His services are called upon by foreign companies seeking to set up operations in Canada, particularly with respect to foreign investment authorisation,and by local companies wanting to expand globally.
From 2013 to 2015, André chaired the Meritas network, a group of 7,500 lawyers in 95 countries. During this time he made a number of presentations on legal developments in an era of globalization in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. In 2017, he was appointed "Fellow" of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a prestigious title reserved for less than 1% of lawyers. Previously a member of BCF’s Board of Directors, André has also been head of BCF’s Litigation group from 2013 to 2020. He is co-head of the firm’s Class Actions Defence team. He is also Chairman of the Le Devoir daily newspaper’s Board of Directors since 2017.
Expertise
Industries
Education
- ICD, Directors Education Program (2019)
- DEP in Governance Rotman School of Management and McGill Executive Institute (2018)
- Called to the Barreau du Québec (1994)
- LL.B. Université de Montréal (1993)
- B.Sc. Université de Montréal (1990)
Recognition(s)
- Barreau du Québec (2022) - Advocatus Emeritus (Ad. E.)
- Chambers Canada (2017-2024) - Commercial Litigation (Québec); Dispute Resolution: Class Action Defence (Canada)
- Lexology (2023) - Client Choice Awards
- Canadian Legal Lexpert (2019-2023) - Litigation and Corporate Commercial
- Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year (2023) - Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Best Lawyers in Canada (2020-2024) - Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Class Action Litigation; Corporate Governance Practice; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Director and Officer Liability Practice
- Benchmark Litigation Canada (2021-2024) - Litigation Star
- American College of Trial Lawyers (2017) - Appointed "Fellow"
Publications
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“Québec class actions/Actions collectives au Québec”
Co-author with Shaun Finn, Lexis Nexis, 2020
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“The Quebec Class Action: A Roadmap”
(Contributing author), LexisNexis, an easy-to-use primer designed for business people and in-house counsel, 2016
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“Your Gateway to the European Union”
BCF’s International Strategic Team, 2015
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“Gestion de crise : comment concilier la protection du public et les intérêts de son client?”
(in collaboration with Mélanie Joly), published as part of the Barreau du Québec 2010 conference papers
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“Gestion des litiges et mécanismes de résolutions de conflits”
(a collective work intended for information technology SMEs), Le Guide des aspects juridiques pour les PME en technologies de l'information, Montréal, Réseau Inter Logique
Representative Work
- Class action - Lac Mégantic, in defense of one of the parties involved;
- Class action against Bausch Healh (Valeant Phamaceuticals), defending one of the parties;
- Commission of inquiry on the appointment of Judges of Quebec (Bastarache);
- The Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry (Charbonneau);
- The Commission of Inquiry on referendum expenditures (Grenier);
- The Commission of Inquiry into Certain Allegations Respecting Business and Financial Dealings Between Karlheinz Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney (Oliphant);
- Counselled for Ciments McInnis in a dispute with Lafarge Inc., the Québec Environmental Law Centre and Environnement Vert-Plus Inc., which sought to have the Minister of the Environment's certificate of approval revoked for the construction of the new McInnis cement plant.
Conferences
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“La Gestion de crise : guide de survie du conseiller juridique, L’Image à consolider ou à refaire une fois la tempête passée : quel est le travail du conseiller juridique?”
Insight, 2012
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“Sharpening your Skills – Current Challenges and Opportunities in Conducting Business in the Americas”
(in collaboration with Kenneth S. Atlas, Charles Spector, Kristina Unsworth, and Daniel J. Paul), CCCA 2012 World Summit and Spring Conference, 2012
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“La gestion de crise en entreprise : l'ABC de la relation avec les médias”
(in collaboration with Isabelle Perras), Association of Corporate Counsel, 2010
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“Gestion de crise : comment concilier la protection du public et les intérêts de son client?”
Barreau du Québec Conference, 2010
Professional Affiliation(s)
- ICD, Institute of Corporate Directors (2019)
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2017)
- Chairman of the Board, Le Devoir (2017-), Member of the Executive Committee (2014-), Member of the Board and Audit Committee (2012-2017)
- President of the Audit Committee BCF (2017-), Member (2016-), Board Secretary (2002 to 2006)
- Global Chairman of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide (April 2013 to April 2015), Global Vice-Chairman, responsible for quality assurance and compliance (2011 to 2013) and Board Member (2004-2007)
- Canadian Bar Association (1994)
- International Bar Association (2004)
